Page 105 of Edge of Yesterday

But Crowe yanked free and lunged toward Cailean. Cailean started to grab his sword and froze when Julianna leapt in front of him. Crowe reached out and Cailean realized he intended to shove her aside. Cailean grabbed for Julianna, but she spun and eluded them both while jamming her elbow into Crowe’s cheek. Cailean had the fleeting thought that the move reminded him of something Ginny would do as he rammed into Crowe with his shoulder.

He drove the man back against the wall. Crowe’s sword clattered to the floor and he bellowed like a wild animal. He brought his clasped fists down on Cailean’s back with enough force to drive the air from Cailean’s lungs. Cailean wheezed, but managed a punch to Crowe’s kidneys, then leapt back in time to avoid another vicious blow.

“Stop them, Father,” Julianna shouted.

Crowe’s eyes jerked to his sword a few feet to his right. Strong fingers seized Cailean’s shoulders. He whirled and grabbed Father Andrew’s arm, twisting it around his back. He shoved the man and dove for his sword as Crowe reached his own weapon. Cailean yanked Triumph from her sheath and swung upward to block Crowe’s blow. His arm jarred, and red hot fury set his belly on fire.

“Crowe,” Julianna shouted. “Stop! Ye have no right.”

Father Gabriel burst into the room. “What has happened?” He looked from one to the other, shock on his face.

“We found them together in bed,” Father Andrew said.

“Cease this fighting now, Crowe,” Father Gabriel shouted. “This is a house of God. There will be no killing here.”

Crowe jabbed left and caught Cailean’s sash.

“Cailean,” Father Gabriel yelled. “Stop, now!”

But even if Cailean had wanted to stop, Crowe wouldn’t give him a chance—and Cailean had no intention of stopping. Crowe advanced on him with a vengeance, parried left then right like a madman, and Cailean realized he meant to drive him back against the bed. Cailean dove left, tucked and rolled to his feet. Crowe whirled, his eyes ablaze with irrational fury.

“Cailean,” Julianna cried.

Crowe’s gaze flicked to her and Cailean realized he was about to grab her. Cailean slashed as Crowe pivoted, and he sliced Crowe’s left cheek. Blood streamed down his face. He faltered.

“Stop, Crowe,” Father Gabriel shouted. “They are man and wife.”

Crowe yanked his gaze onto the priest. “Man and wife?”

“Aye.”

“Ye lie,” he ground out.

Other priests filled the doorway.

Father Gabriel shook his head. “They said their vows in a handfasting. I saw to it myself.”

Crowe dabbed at his bleeding cheek with the back of his sleeve and something niggled in the back of Cailean’s brain amidst the roar of blood.

Crowe looked at Julianna. “Is this true? Ye married this cur?”

Her eyes widened and she looked at Cailean.

“Tell him, Cailean,” Father Gabriel said.

“Aye,” Cailean gasped between heavy breaths.

“Ye didnae tell me they had married.” Father Andrew looked doubtful.

“It happened but an hour ago,” Father Gabriel replied. “They wanted to join as man and wife before returning to Raghnall. Lady Julianna has more than one offer of marriage and…” He looked at her, smiling.

“And I wanted Cailean” —she turned her gaze onto Crowe— “and no one else.”

“What can he offer you?” Crowe demanded.

“A good sword arm,” Cailean said, still holding Triumph.

Crowe took a step toward him, but Father Andrew stepped in front of him. “They are wed. Ye can do nothing.”